"No matter what post I may get, I want to help the prime minister push through his reform programs," Abe told before the reports of his appointment. "I want to do all my best whether I get a post in the Cabinet or in the party."

Koizumi was to name senior officials of his Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the reshuffle.

Reports also speculated that two Cabinet incumbents will likely remain in their posts: Economic Minister Heizo Takenaka, a key architect of Koizumi's structural reform agenda, and Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa, who has the backing of the coalition's junior partner New Komei Party.

Tsutomu Takebe, who retained his position as LDP secretary-general, said the new Cabinet would need to finish up the prime minister's reform agenda.

"Koizumi's reform is at the final stage so I'd like to work hard to help create the environment," he said.

The LDP won a landslide victory in Sept. 11 elections for the powerful lower house of Parliament, winning over two-thirds of the seats with its junior coalition partner, the New Komei Party.

The governing party is expected to use the overwhelming majority to push through further reforms, including steps toward amending Japan's pacifist constitution, the AP reports.